Posted on 08/14/2006 1:37:12 PM PDT by 300magnum
PRAYERS for peace in a troubled world were said during a special ceremony to mark the anniversary of VJ day. During an emotional service in Central Park's Garden of Peace, the assembled war veterans and members of the public were asked to remember those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom during the Second World War.
They were also asked to pray for servicemen and women currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and people caught up in the Middle East conflict.
The Rev George Rogers, vicar of St John the Baptist with Emmanuel in Werrington, Peterborough, took the service.
He said: "Today, as we look at the stones of remembrance, we remember fallen comrades and the sacrifice they made.
"Let us renew our dedication to bringing peace to the world around us. We pray for those governing our country, guiding our foreign policy and watching over us."
The Thanksgiving for Peace ceremony is held every year in the city, and is led by the Peterborough branch of the Royal British Legion.
It commemorates victory in Japan – on August 15, 1945 – the end of the Second World War, when the Japanese surrendered to the allies.
It is always held on the Sunday closest to VJ day.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Rogers said it was particularly poignant at a time when Israel was fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon, battles continued to be fought in Iraq and Afghanistan and terrorists were allegedly planning to attack the UK.
He said: "I think it is very sad that, on a day when our thoughts turn to the many millions of men who died during the two world wars, the world is a very unsettled place.
"It seems lessons have not been learned, and we must pray that, one day, the fighting and conflict comes to an end."
Ernie Morris (85) is the president of the Peterborough branch of the Royal British Legion.
He was a mechanic with the RAF and based in the Middle East during the Second World War.
Mr Morris said it was important we never forgot those who were killed fighting for freedom.
He said: "We want to do everything we can to ensure the sacrifices made are not forgotten.
"Not many cities hold events such as this to mark the anniversary of VJ day so we are proud to be setting an example."
Special guests, including Mayor of Peterborough Cllr Michael Burton and Major Richard Hill, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, were present at the ceremony.
We did so by taking all-out war, with extreme prejudice, to the Imperialist Japanese military and the civilian population that supported and abetted them. To the point that they sued for unconditional peace and disavowed that ideology for generations to come in favor of a constitutional republic. THAT lesson to the radical Islamics and anyone who supports, abetts, or aides them...or gives them sanctuary. And we need to allow our allies (ie. Israel and any others attacked by them) to do the same...in fact we should encourage them to do the same.
As we do, we need to let people and nations like China, Venezuela, Cuba, and any other tin horns know that there is plenty left over for them if they want a piece of that action.
One of the few times that I am proud to be from RI. The last state to recognize VJ Day as a Holiday.
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